DISCLOSE Act of 2023

Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2023 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2023

This bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosures of campaign expenditures, and requiring additional disclosures regarding certain political advertisements.

Specifically, the bill expands existing foreign money prohibitions to include disbursements for paid web-based or digital communications and federal judicial nomination communications. It also prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda.

The Government Accountability Office must, for each four-year election cycle, study and report on the incidence of illicit foreign money in federal elections.

Next, the bill makes it unlawful to establish or use a corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an election contribution or donation by a foreign national. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

Covered organizations (e.g., corporations, labor organizations, and political organizations) must, within 24 hours, file reports with the Federal Election Commission to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle.

The bill also requires organizations to provide additional disclosures regarding political advertisements, including the donors who contributed the most money to that organization in the last year.

The DISCLOSE Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 hr 1118, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress aimed at increasing transparency in political campaign financing. The bill requires organizations spending money on political advertisements to disclose their donors, making it easier for the public to understand who is funding political campaigns.

Under the DISCLOSE Act, any organization that spends more than $10,000 on political advertisements must disclose the names of donors who contributed $10,000 or more. This information must be made publicly available on a searchable online database maintained by the Federal Election Commission.

The bill also includes provisions to prevent foreign entities from influencing US elections by prohibiting them from making contributions to political campaigns or purchasing political advertisements. Additionally, the DISCLOSE Act requires political advertisements to include disclaimers disclosing who paid for the ad, ensuring that voters are aware of the source of the information they are receiving. Supporters of the DISCLOSE Act argue that increased transparency in campaign financing is essential for maintaining the integrity of the democratic process and preventing corruption. Critics, however, raise concerns about potential infringement on free speech rights and the administrative burden of complying with the disclosure requirements. Overall, the DISCLOSE Act of 2023 aims to promote transparency and accountability in political campaign financing, providing voters with the information they need to make informed decisions at the polls.